Participant Experiences in a Special Sporting Event: the Case of the United Games in Bathurst, Australia

Abstract Special events are a widely studied phenomenon. An analysis of previous studies of special sporting events indicates a heavy emphasis on their economic and tourism impacts, but minimal information about the motivations and experiences of those involved as participants. This case-study examined the experiences of people who attended the 1997 Eastern Conference University Games (called the United Games), held in Bathurst, NSW, Australia. Data were collected through informal interviews, a questionnaire survey, participant observation and a reflective journal and were analysed using such techniques as constant comparison analysis and content analysis. Participant experiences in the United Games were interpreted under four salient themes: Socialising; Spectatorship; Sports Participation; and Team Bonding. The results reflect the interpersonal impacts of a special sporting event on its participants and provide evidence to support key arguments put forward in the literature on special events. The findings contribute to knowledge about the social psychology of participation in special events, and have implications for event planners.